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Drinks and decoupage at Oakland’s Plum Bar
Posted in Culture Vulture / DIY / Good Ideas / Places / San Francisco Bay Area
One of the indications that Oakland is indeed an omnivore’s paradise are the migrations made by famous San Francisco chefs to open new restaurants here on eastern shores. It is by no means the only proof, but it is a big clue, together with frequent NYT mentions of late…
Daniel Patterson and his “Group” of investors are serious about being in Oakland, together with the opening of Haven in December they now have three spaces. Plum Bar came just a couple months before Haven as an extension of Plum the restaurant’s evening offering. Tasty (and surprisingly affordable) bar eats like countrified Berkshire pork pate with tarragon mustard, perfectly crunchy multi-colored quinoa fritters, and brioche sliders are as fun as the frothy, flowered drinks. The original menu was created by Scott Beatie, who is now working on the Hog and Rocks line-up in SF, but the cocktails remain strong with Chef Ron Boyd’s oversight.
Touring San Francisco’s Federal Building
While exploring cities neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street, I’ve had my share of spontaneity. I like it that way, too.
Recently a relative was visiting from the East Coast. After a scrumptious breakfeast at Dottie’s, including a gluttonous square of their intoxicating blueberry coffeecake, we wanted a stroll. Plus it was sunny.
It’s easy to forget about the Federal Building – a place that’s free to tour almost any time it is open – but we were an alley’s length away and its angular shape, with its network of shadows, drew us near. After getting through the TSA-esque security line we were free to roam the lobby and a few other floors where there were offices on display or other attractions. After long waits in traffic heading from the 101 to the Bay Bridge I’ve memorized the profile of the building that includes a large square cut out in the center of the building. The guards told us that it was a public seating area and directed us to the floor.
Asian Box and Palo Alto’s new trendy food
Asian Box opened a month ago on a corner inside Palo Alto’s Town and Country Shopping Center, dangerously close to a Kara’s Cupcakes. It’s the second build-a-meal effort from Chef Grace Nguyen and her husband, Chad Newtown, also a chef, and their partner restaurateur Frank Klein after opening American Box together inside the Jewish Contemporary Museum.
Asian Box has the same idea as their first restaurant, but with a South East Asian twist. The menu board looks a bit gimmicky at first glance, but it is soon obvious how many personalized combinations can come from their offerings. Start with a base like Asian vegetable salad or long grain brown rice – all of them free of wheat gluten, then build with six-spice chicken, lemongrass pork, garlic soy beef, coconut curry tofu or lime basil shrimp. From there you can add steamed or stir-fried veggies, “box toppers” like crisp shallots or peanuts, and Asian Box’s own line up of special sauces, complete with, ahem, unique names like Hot Box It.
Top Ten Big Sur Favorites
Posted in Featured / Good Ideas / Other Places / Outdoors and on the Road / Places
Depending on the geography, the experience of making a Top Ten list can vary greatly. In San Francisco there are certain undeniables (you can’t miss the de Young!) that have to be juggled with the up-and-coming things that aren’t on every explorers’ radar. In rural areas like Big Sur, there aren’t as many places to consider, but this doesn’t always make the editorial task simpler.
Everywhere you look in Big Sur there is something beautiful to see. I know travel writers have said this about many spots on the globe, but in my own realm of experience Big Sur rates in the tip top in terms of beauty.
I can hardly believe I live within driving distance from a place that is so majestic, so I make it a point of going at least once a year. Its been years I’ve been making these treks – short pack trips with hubby and poodle to Sykes Hot Springs, weekend pampering trips with massages (in view of the crashing coast), girlfriend getaways where ten of us pack a few rooms at the Big Sur Lodge and eat chanterelles all weekend.
Last minute Valentine’s fun in southern Napa
I’m not crazy about Valentine’s Day. It’s one of those holidays where I don’t want to get caught in the hype, yet there are underlying expectations I admit to. I want my hubby to do something special even though I don’t want a pile of made-in-China teddy bears or something materialistically Valentine’s-y. Spending time with him away from our computers is the best present I can think of, and a nice meal and flowers wouldn’t hurt either.
Southern Napa County is an ideal spot for our alternative Valentine’s celebration. It isn’t far from Oakland and San Francisco and doesn’t require that we get caught in the traffic net that Route 29 can so easily become. Some of my very favorite Napa things are in it’s lower half, and many of them still have reservations for those of us who know our S.O.s haven’t planned far in advance. Whether you’re staying over night or just going up for the day, here are my picks for Valentine’s week: